Driving in Greece

In Greece, roads vary in their quality and width – from nice multi-lane highways to narrow village roads. Moreover, Greece is a mountainous country, and many roads may be curvy. In late fall and winter, driving may be dangerous as wet, snowy, and icy roads.

Citizen of the European Union countries may use their domestic driving permits. Drivers from other countries should have International Driving Permits in addition to their original driver licenses.

Usually, road signs are in Greek and English languages, but in small towns and villages, signs may be in Greek only. There are two toll roads: Ethniki Odos and National Road.

The main road traffic laws are:

Drive on the right side of the road.

The minimal driving age is 18 years.

A driver and all passengers from front and back seats must wear seatbelts.

Children younger than 10 years cannot be ridden in the front seats. A child under 11 years or less than 1.35 m inheight must sit in an appropriate child restraint. Children over 12 years must use adult seat belts.

The legal blood-alcohol level is 0.05%. For holders of driving permits less than two years, trucks drivers (more than 3.5 tones), bus, taxi, ambulance, and ADR vehicles drivers, mopeds and motorcycles riders, a blood-alcohol level is 0.02%.

Double lines on roads means that overtaking is not permitted.

Diesel vehicles may not drive in Athens, Piraeus or Thessaloniki.

Except in case of emergencies, it is illegal to use horns in towns and urban areas.

It is forbidden to park within 5 meters (15 feet) of an intersection, 3 meters (9 feet) of a fire hydrant, and 15 meters (45 feet) from a bus stop, 12 meters of a tram, and 20 meters from traffic lights.

At side of road, yellow line denotes “no parking”; blue line – “metered parking”; white line – “free parking”.

Any foreign driver must carry his domestic Driver License, International Driving Permit (if required) insurance certificate, vehicle registration documents, and passport or other proof of identity.

A first aid kit, warning triangle, and fire extinguisher should always be carried in cars while driving.

The police phone number is 100, ambulant service – 199.

Foreign cars may be temporarily imported into Greece for six months. Students, individuals on a fixed term contract with the Greek state, diplomatic and Consular staff and their employees may import vehicles for private using longer than six months without paying taxes.